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New City #1
Passion Model
When Recreational Intercourse Operative GMMA 03271971 drags a PSSN-M model Pleasurebot to an inspection station to check for a faulty ignition, she doesn't expect his lovemaking to send her over the edge into the most explosive climax she's ever had. But what she really doesn't expect is to find the handsome bot is really a man. Declan has a secret, one that could get Gemma fired from R.I.O, or worse...maybe even killed.
157 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
9 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Megan Hart
264 books4,052 followersMegan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 1, 2010
Ok the star rating for this waivers between 4 1/2 and 5 but because the story kept me engrossed I've upped it to 5.
Megan Hart has created in Passion Model a futuristic SciFi world in which everything we see is easily accepted because it's a very realistic picture of how life could be lived in a few hundred years time. Existence falls into three basic forms Flesh (boy/girl) with acceptable enhancements, Bot (which are work force but have human features) and mecho (humans with extensive bot enhancements)who live in a technologically advanced world that is not unfamiliar but advanced enough to carry the erotic side of her story well.
This is the Story of Gemma and Decaln who meet up in an convential way for this 'world', problem is neither of them are what the other believes them to be, and what follows is their adventure, both in love and life.
I loved the world Megan Hart has created, this is an erotic romance and the way she has woven the erotoic side of the story into the romance and adventure was very beleivable for me. Athough this doesn't have a BDSM theme I loved Declan who is ever so slightly submissive, to balance the character of Gemma. The supporting characters of Eddie (Gemmas' co-worker) and Kaelyn (the little alien fairy friend) added to the story.
A great story that I understand is being re published later this year.
Megan Hart has created in Passion Model a futuristic SciFi world in which everything we see is easily accepted because it's a very realistic picture of how life could be lived in a few hundred years time. Existence falls into three basic forms Flesh (boy/girl) with acceptable enhancements, Bot (which are work force but have human features) and mecho (humans with extensive bot enhancements)who live in a technologically advanced world that is not unfamiliar but advanced enough to carry the erotic side of her story well.
This is the Story of Gemma and Decaln who meet up in an convential way for this 'world', problem is neither of them are what the other believes them to be, and what follows is their adventure, both in love and life.
I loved the world Megan Hart has created, this is an erotic romance and the way she has woven the erotoic side of the story into the romance and adventure was very beleivable for me. Athough this doesn't have a BDSM theme I loved Declan who is ever so slightly submissive, to balance the character of Gemma. The supporting characters of Eddie (Gemmas' co-worker) and Kaelyn (the little alien fairy friend) added to the story.
A great story that I understand is being re published later this year.
June 13, 2014
Is another horrible erotic novel, or rather an erratic novel, by a person who calls herself Megan Hart and who spent most of the 2000s penning vast quantities of this stuff. Which, following the success of Fifty Shades of Grey, was subsequently reissued. This dates from 2010. I am eternally grateful to fool4luv for directing me towards Ms Hart, because I now have more snark fuel in my life.
Ohhh yes, this I do. Because this novel is a craptacular waste of pages that, far from reducing the reader to "sweet-hot climaxes" that the bumf on the back promises, reduced me to a cackling heap of insanity.
Executive Summary
Blade Runner meets Rule 34.
A bit more detail, if you don't mind?
Oh boy. In The Future, namely the 31st century, we will all live in gloomy high-rise dystopias, where it will always rain, and we will eat synthetic food grown in vats, and spend a ridiculous amount of time shagging sex robots with annoying brand names like GRLFRND 250 or COK 127 or, of course, PSSN-M - the titular Passion Model. For various reasons, such as becoming self aware, attachment to their owners, malfunctioning which can result in someone being shagged to death, the inhabits of Newcity (where this is set) rely on the services of a RIO - a Recreational Intercourse Operative - to prevent their sexbots from running amuck. They do this by going into Lovehuts (robotic brothels) and inspecting them. Because sexbots are made of metal, servos, rubber, and an outer coating of flesh, they're all rather durable, so the RIOs have cybernetic enhancements to keep up with them in case the 'bots object to being deactivated.
Guess how the sexbots are inspected? By being robustly shagged at extreme length until they malfunction. This is another reason, I'm sure, why the cybernetic enhancements are needed. Hear that noise? That was Willian Gibson, Philip K. Dick, and Mike Pondsmith all having a simultaneous rage fit.
Our heroine is a RIO named Gemma who's on patrol when she encounters what she reckons is a malfunctioning sexbot, upon where she accompanies him to an Inspection Station and inspects him. Unfortunately she realises, upon him getting to the jester's shoes, he's actually a real live person because sexbots don't let loose their juices. Apparently shagging a real person on duty is a Big Deal and a criminal offence. Probably because it's got the potential to be abused by RIOs to rape anyone who they feel like via the threat of jail time or serious wallop. But anyhow. Declan, for that is his name, she starts having an affair with him, and continues to go about her duties.
Which is why I described this above as not so much erotic as erratic. In Chapter Six we encounter Gemma and Eddie (her partner) inspecting a female sexbot who goes into "clenchdown". This is where the 'bot kinda gets carried away and fucks the human user to death or even starts going at so ridiculously as to "just constrict his dick so forcibly she popped it off like a cherry from its stem." Congratulations, Megan, you have ruined it for everyone. This is kinda like the infamous TURNING!!!!! scene in Miss World '96 Nude. You know, where you're starting to reveal the scantily clad gal a bit too swiftly and all of a sudden it turns into a bad photoshop of Pinhead and a dance remix of "Let's All Chant" starts bursting out the speakers. As then, RIP My Boner, so now.
See, despite having graphic sex scenes in it, the novel really isn't all that erotic. It is, like I said, a pale imitation of Blade Runner but with sex robots. The plot is almost entirely lifted in that one of the replicants, sorry, Passion Models, escapes custody and goes on the run (the one who went into clenchdown) and the protagonists have to go and retrieve it, only to find that she's become self aware, and there's other self aware bots and dodgy people helping her disappear into a wretched hive full of depraved, brutal perverts.
Let's now turn to the rather improbable nature of the setting. Apparently, We Will Have Sex With Robots In The Future. Now, yes, I know that the Internet is for porn, and that Rule 34 exists, but the idea that the biggest category of robot in The Future will be for sexual purposes strikes me as improbable. Given that although you can buy, in the present, rubber sex dolls, some of which feature an internal skeleton, voice box, realistic weight, and real hair, as well as all the appropriate other bits, these are colossally expensive. So much so that it's probably more worth your time and effort to go and find a real person to do it with. They also suffer from uncanny valley. So why wouldn't people in The Future go and boff each other, like fucking Christ intended, rather than a robot? Especially considering that the sexbots are specifically mentioned as having perfectly symmetrical features, which is one of the main causes of uncanny valley. Well then.
They also charge their sexbots on a USB cable (as opposed to some sort of futuristic wireless interface or dock of some sort), and the novel also seems to make annoying references to 2000s era pop culture. The Matrix is name dropped more than once. O rly? Do I still name drop something that was taking place in the Middle Ages? Do I agitate in Facebook for "Sumer Is Icumen In" or "Stella Splendens" to get to the top of the charts? Does anyone? No they do not. Exactly. This is stupid. And what about the millennium that took place in the interim? Well quite.
Well... if you've seen Blade Runner you know what happens next. Except it doesn't. The rest of the novel details Gemma's investigation into finding Declan. Turns out he's the offspring of a big cheese in Newcity and by investigating him she's annoyed the Powers That Be. Turns out that he also, like her, is cybernetically enhanced. This is allegedly a big deal for some reason, except the plot then kinda... well, fizzles out, and ends with Gemma watching an alien sunset on a pristine unpolluted offworld beach. How she got here is slightly unexplained.
And this is kinda where the novel goes horribly wrong. It's only "erotic" because it has the occasional graphic sex scene in it. It doesn't really or properly explore many of the big cyberpunk themes it touches on, such as self awareness, AI, transhumanism, mass surveillance, or similar, they're just thrown in because the author reckoned that they're part of the setting and taken as read. The setting itself is uncompelling. In fact, it's positively daft. And the premise, that sexbots are so prevalent in The Future that we'll need an entire inspectorate to deal with them is quite frankly ridiculous. And even the sexy sex bits are slightly prone to TURNING!!! moments that ruin it for everyone, like the incident with the "clenchdown" as above.
In short, I'm not sure you should read this novel. It fails as erotica, it fails as cyberpunk, it just fails in general.
(originally written for Everything2.com)
Ohhh yes, this I do. Because this novel is a craptacular waste of pages that, far from reducing the reader to "sweet-hot climaxes" that the bumf on the back promises, reduced me to a cackling heap of insanity.
Executive Summary
Blade Runner meets Rule 34.
A bit more detail, if you don't mind?
Oh boy. In The Future, namely the 31st century, we will all live in gloomy high-rise dystopias, where it will always rain, and we will eat synthetic food grown in vats, and spend a ridiculous amount of time shagging sex robots with annoying brand names like GRLFRND 250 or COK 127 or, of course, PSSN-M - the titular Passion Model. For various reasons, such as becoming self aware, attachment to their owners, malfunctioning which can result in someone being shagged to death, the inhabits of Newcity (where this is set) rely on the services of a RIO - a Recreational Intercourse Operative - to prevent their sexbots from running amuck. They do this by going into Lovehuts (robotic brothels) and inspecting them. Because sexbots are made of metal, servos, rubber, and an outer coating of flesh, they're all rather durable, so the RIOs have cybernetic enhancements to keep up with them in case the 'bots object to being deactivated.
Guess how the sexbots are inspected? By being robustly shagged at extreme length until they malfunction. This is another reason, I'm sure, why the cybernetic enhancements are needed. Hear that noise? That was Willian Gibson, Philip K. Dick, and Mike Pondsmith all having a simultaneous rage fit.
Our heroine is a RIO named Gemma who's on patrol when she encounters what she reckons is a malfunctioning sexbot, upon where she accompanies him to an Inspection Station and inspects him. Unfortunately she realises, upon him getting to the jester's shoes, he's actually a real live person because sexbots don't let loose their juices. Apparently shagging a real person on duty is a Big Deal and a criminal offence. Probably because it's got the potential to be abused by RIOs to rape anyone who they feel like via the threat of jail time or serious wallop. But anyhow. Declan, for that is his name, she starts having an affair with him, and continues to go about her duties.
Which is why I described this above as not so much erotic as erratic. In Chapter Six we encounter Gemma and Eddie (her partner) inspecting a female sexbot who goes into "clenchdown". This is where the 'bot kinda gets carried away and fucks the human user to death or even starts going at so ridiculously as to "just constrict his dick so forcibly she popped it off like a cherry from its stem." Congratulations, Megan, you have ruined it for everyone. This is kinda like the infamous TURNING!!!!! scene in Miss World '96 Nude. You know, where you're starting to reveal the scantily clad gal a bit too swiftly and all of a sudden it turns into a bad photoshop of Pinhead and a dance remix of "Let's All Chant" starts bursting out the speakers. As then, RIP My Boner, so now.
See, despite having graphic sex scenes in it, the novel really isn't all that erotic. It is, like I said, a pale imitation of Blade Runner but with sex robots. The plot is almost entirely lifted in that one of the replicants, sorry, Passion Models, escapes custody and goes on the run (the one who went into clenchdown) and the protagonists have to go and retrieve it, only to find that she's become self aware, and there's other self aware bots and dodgy people helping her disappear into a wretched hive full of depraved, brutal perverts.
Let's now turn to the rather improbable nature of the setting. Apparently, We Will Have Sex With Robots In The Future. Now, yes, I know that the Internet is for porn, and that Rule 34 exists, but the idea that the biggest category of robot in The Future will be for sexual purposes strikes me as improbable. Given that although you can buy, in the present, rubber sex dolls, some of which feature an internal skeleton, voice box, realistic weight, and real hair, as well as all the appropriate other bits, these are colossally expensive. So much so that it's probably more worth your time and effort to go and find a real person to do it with. They also suffer from uncanny valley. So why wouldn't people in The Future go and boff each other, like fucking Christ intended, rather than a robot? Especially considering that the sexbots are specifically mentioned as having perfectly symmetrical features, which is one of the main causes of uncanny valley. Well then.
They also charge their sexbots on a USB cable (as opposed to some sort of futuristic wireless interface or dock of some sort), and the novel also seems to make annoying references to 2000s era pop culture. The Matrix is name dropped more than once. O rly? Do I still name drop something that was taking place in the Middle Ages? Do I agitate in Facebook for "Sumer Is Icumen In" or "Stella Splendens" to get to the top of the charts? Does anyone? No they do not. Exactly. This is stupid. And what about the millennium that took place in the interim? Well quite.
Well... if you've seen Blade Runner you know what happens next. Except it doesn't. The rest of the novel details Gemma's investigation into finding Declan. Turns out he's the offspring of a big cheese in Newcity and by investigating him she's annoyed the Powers That Be. Turns out that he also, like her, is cybernetically enhanced. This is allegedly a big deal for some reason, except the plot then kinda... well, fizzles out, and ends with Gemma watching an alien sunset on a pristine unpolluted offworld beach. How she got here is slightly unexplained.
And this is kinda where the novel goes horribly wrong. It's only "erotic" because it has the occasional graphic sex scene in it. It doesn't really or properly explore many of the big cyberpunk themes it touches on, such as self awareness, AI, transhumanism, mass surveillance, or similar, they're just thrown in because the author reckoned that they're part of the setting and taken as read. The setting itself is uncompelling. In fact, it's positively daft. And the premise, that sexbots are so prevalent in The Future that we'll need an entire inspectorate to deal with them is quite frankly ridiculous. And even the sexy sex bits are slightly prone to TURNING!!! moments that ruin it for everyone, like the incident with the "clenchdown" as above.
In short, I'm not sure you should read this novel. It fails as erotica, it fails as cyberpunk, it just fails in general.
(originally written for Everything2.com)
September 26, 2012
So... robot sex anyone?
That seems like it's all anyone does in Megan Hart's version of the future. There are so many "pleasurebots" roaming around, that they need a whole police department to keep them in line. And, somewhat comically, these cops have to have sex with malfunctioning bots to ensure they're safe for public consumption. I mean... what?
I enjoyed the sci-fi world building in this story, I can say that. I love future-lingo, when it's done right. And I think it's done very well in this book. But the whole premise was a little too over-the-top for me. The H/h were both "mechos" which isn't quite human and isn't quite robot. So, of course, society wants to eradicate them, without actually coming out and saying it. They fall for each other at light speed, have a squabble, then (try and) run away together.
I feel like this story could have been much bigger than what it was. The secondary characters where my favorites, which never leads me to rate a book that high. I mean, I should love the main characters, right? And they were okay. The "big bad" was ridiculous, I just couldn't take him seriously.
I don't know, there were some interesting parts, for sure. It was a quick read, and the world was intriguing. Not sure if I'll continue with this series, but I was entertained while reading this one at least. And that's why we read, right?
Well, that and the hot sex. Personally.
That seems like it's all anyone does in Megan Hart's version of the future. There are so many "pleasurebots" roaming around, that they need a whole police department to keep them in line. And, somewhat comically, these cops have to have sex with malfunctioning bots to ensure they're safe for public consumption. I mean... what?
I enjoyed the sci-fi world building in this story, I can say that. I love future-lingo, when it's done right. And I think it's done very well in this book. But the whole premise was a little too over-the-top for me. The H/h were both "mechos" which isn't quite human and isn't quite robot. So, of course, society wants to eradicate them, without actually coming out and saying it. They fall for each other at light speed, have a squabble, then (try and) run away together.
I feel like this story could have been much bigger than what it was. The secondary characters where my favorites, which never leads me to rate a book that high. I mean, I should love the main characters, right? And they were okay. The "big bad" was ridiculous, I just couldn't take him seriously.
I don't know, there were some interesting parts, for sure. It was a quick read, and the world was intriguing. Not sure if I'll continue with this series, but I was entertained while reading this one at least. And that's why we read, right?
Well, that and the hot sex. Personally.
March 8, 2011
Megan Hart’s latest release, Passion Model, is a delicious sensory sci-fi feast that manages to one-up its standing as erotica. Passion Model’s slick foundation and world-building is solid, believable from its pedtreads to gritty Oldcity, to the Lovehuts that house the vast swathe of pleasure bots that serve the general public.
But behind the pristine order and blanched hues of Newcity, hides a stringent system of checks and balances as citizens are rigorously ranked, their economy and access to goods dependent on a blind obedience of the rules. And within the strict confines of their society, anything that is not purely human is ostracized. As the Ruling Council moves towards legislation to completely segregate and strip human status from those with even minimal upgrades, Hart’s heroine struggles with her humanity.
For Gemma 4121609, a partially mechanized human after a deadly accident…her life was given back to her, but drastically changed. Leaving behind a marriage in tatters and a career flaming in ruins, Gemma’s only course was to be a Recreational Intercourse Operative where the partially mechanized can still earn decent credits and an exclusive ranking in Newcity. Patrolling the district Lovehuts, Gemma and her team track down defective Passion Model bots and pull them out of the general population.
But one neon-tinted night, Gemma mistakes Declan Adar for a Passion Model and within their entwined arms they find something they hadn’t known was missing: each other. With incorrectly identifying Declan as a bot, Gemma and he have committed a felony-one that threatens to alter the course of their lives. And when Gemma digs deeper in Declan’s past she unearths a monumental secret that brings the leader of Newcity and his sec bots down on her head.
The vein running through Passion Model’s heart is its conflict over humans and mechos. The age-old dilemma of what comprises human sentience and its potential reversibility by mechanized implantation. Do we cease to be human with inorganic complements? Hart directly address this conflict in both Gemma and Declan as they outrun the fist that slowly threatens to crush them in its grip.
For Hart, Passion Model provides a sci-fi vehicle that highlights her exceptional story telling skills. In many ways it competes with its original vision as an erotic piece. It simply excels as a piece of Blade Runner-esque inspired vision, and the torrid sexual passages are just frosting on already a stuffed cake. I found myself intrigued by Hart’s vision, and I want MORE.
Thankfully I am guessing there will be…Hart’s website states that Passion Model is Book 1, so with any luck I am going to assume that there will be a Book 2. In the meantime, I am checking out her upcoming releases, particularly Seeing Stars (out May 2011), and Virtue & Vice (out Oct 2011).
A Fiendishly Bookish Review (and one grumpy cat)!
June 1, 2013
3.5* actually, rounded up because in the end I appreciated its worldbuilding the most.
This is coherent, a fantastic Bladerunner-style 'verse built on our current society and as such it is unlike so much recent scifi truly worthy of the genre, and not just some space opera, space LOTR or space western. The story is engaging, the plot moves, and moves logically, all the characters have depth and evolve over the course of the story. It had me on the edge of my seat while reading, and I longed for more stories from that 'verse after finishing.
It could have been a solid 5* read however, if only the author had curbed her need to use sordid vulgarity far too often to be acceptable, directly slutshaming/misogynic more often than not. I had to grit my teeth over that far too often.
And something which by now has really ceased to be vaguely amusing is the importance some authors of erotica place on cunnilingus and a woman's clitoris. Sorry, these descriptions turn me off, rather than on. Majorly, and there wasn't enough to turn me sufficiently on among the rest of the sex scenes. Which means that practically the entire erotic content fell flat for me. Completely. It is credit to this book that I kept reading inspite of my distaste, but it would be helpful for authors to accept that not all women are clit-centric, or even if, get turned on by descriptions of men licking clits and labia.
Oh, and lastly--unlike what I thought this isn't really about two MCs one of whom is a robot. The characters are rather conventional, though the taboo was well-built.
Rec'ed to anyone who wants a solid plot in their scifi romance.
This is coherent, a fantastic Bladerunner-style 'verse built on our current society and as such it is unlike so much recent scifi truly worthy of the genre, and not just some space opera, space LOTR or space western. The story is engaging, the plot moves, and moves logically, all the characters have depth and evolve over the course of the story. It had me on the edge of my seat while reading, and I longed for more stories from that 'verse after finishing.
It could have been a solid 5* read however, if only the author had curbed her need to use sordid vulgarity far too often to be acceptable, directly slutshaming/misogynic more often than not. I had to grit my teeth over that far too often.
And something which by now has really ceased to be vaguely amusing is the importance some authors of erotica place on cunnilingus and a woman's clitoris. Sorry, these descriptions turn me off, rather than on. Majorly, and there wasn't enough to turn me sufficiently on among the rest of the sex scenes. Which means that practically the entire erotic content fell flat for me. Completely. It is credit to this book that I kept reading inspite of my distaste, but it would be helpful for authors to accept that not all women are clit-centric, or even if, get turned on by descriptions of men licking clits and labia.
Oh, and lastly--unlike what I thought this isn't really about two MCs one of whom is a robot. The characters are rather conventional, though the taboo was well-built.
Rec'ed to anyone who wants a solid plot in their scifi romance.
November 13, 2011
Wow, what a great book! It's kind of a lighter Blade Runner, but not that much lighter. There's even a reference to Blade Runner in the book.
Gemma is an officer who checks out pleasurebots that may have or will malfunction. She sees Declan and figures he's one of the older models. He isn't but doesn't bother telling her until she sees him sweating after she puts him through his sexual paces. She's not allowed to have sex with flesh people during her work hours and he's not supposed to trick an officer. She ends up trying to cover it up so he doesn't get arrested. They can't stop thinking about each other and that's when all the good stuff starts to happen.
I enjoy most of Megan Hart's books, but this one was the best one I've read by her. I would recommend this book.
Gemma is an officer who checks out pleasurebots that may have or will malfunction. She sees Declan and figures he's one of the older models. He isn't but doesn't bother telling her until she sees him sweating after she puts him through his sexual paces. She's not allowed to have sex with flesh people during her work hours and he's not supposed to trick an officer. She ends up trying to cover it up so he doesn't get arrested. They can't stop thinking about each other and that's when all the good stuff starts to happen.
I enjoy most of Megan Hart's books, but this one was the best one I've read by her. I would recommend this book.
June 27, 2018
Four stars mainly for story world creativity. Futuristic possibility of what can happen. UV dome, synthetic meats, robots. Yes that includes sex bots which happens to be part of the plot.
Basic breakdown of fleshy (humans with enhancements), Mecho (at least 50% mechanics/human) and bots.
Story revolves around the main female character who is mecho and her job is to inspect possibly malfunctioning sex bots. How you may ask, well by engaging in sex and sexual acts. One night leads to a mistake by the name of Declan.
Then starts the political side story, secrets to be reveled, danger and plenty of things to raise an eyebrow at.
Overall definitely and interesting different read. Maybe not the best sci-fi read or romance or anything but a good guilty pleasure. Not for everyone .
Basic breakdown of fleshy (humans with enhancements), Mecho (at least 50% mechanics/human) and bots.
Story revolves around the main female character who is mecho and her job is to inspect possibly malfunctioning sex bots. How you may ask, well by engaging in sex and sexual acts. One night leads to a mistake by the name of Declan.
Then starts the political side story, secrets to be reveled, danger and plenty of things to raise an eyebrow at.
Overall definitely and interesting different read. Maybe not the best sci-fi read or romance or anything but a good guilty pleasure. Not for everyone .
April 17, 2020
The world-building was really good (definitely better than "Past Pleasures Through Time", the last sci-fi novel I read), but what I don't understand so is like New City and Old City all of earth and offworld is off the planet? And was Shaddra, where they are in the epilogue, Offworld?
And did Declan kill Howard?
And did Declan kill Howard?
June 4, 2017
Pretty amazing story.
October 26, 2014
4.5 Stars!
I read this for a challenge and was pleasantly surprised at the amazingly detailed, creative, clever and funny world that is year 3005! It was very entertaining and very hot, too! This is the first Sci Fi erotica book I've read by this author but hopefully not the last!
Yes, humans still populate and rule the world, but advances in medical technology have resulted in life saving half-mechanical humans such as Gemma, who almost died after a hovercraft accident. Half her organs are mechanical, and she has faint scars all over her body, she is enhanced, better and stronger, kind of a sexy bionic woman. She works in the sex industry, as a Recreational Intercourse Operative, GMMA 4121609, to patrol and monitor the Pleasurebots, finding the faulty ones, to haul them in for repairs (or removal) which can sometimes be quite a chase, because they can resist coming in. STDs have been eliminated and pregnancy is prevented by a procedure that requires a minor operation to reverse, so Sex for Entertainment is huge, more popular in fact than viddy watching. Thus, the need for Pleasurebots. However, defective Pleasurebots can actually kill a human so she has to take her job seriously.
One day she spots one, he is not acting normal, he's standing off alone; Pleasurebots are made to keep others entertained and are usually very social. He's very handsome and amazingly human-like, he must be an early PSSN model, maybe a PSSN-M?
"Personal ID Unit?" She asks, expecting him to show his License.
He spread his fingers in a mock-innocent gesture. “Must’ve left it at home."
"You'll have to come with me to an inspection station," she replied, trying not to respond to his innocent act.
"You've got to be kidding," he said incredulously.
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" She snapped, asserting her authority.
He took the opportunity to let his gaze move completely along [her] body, paying special attention to her nipples, which pushed at the navy blue artisilk of her uniform. And then, damn him, when he looked at the junction of her legs, he licked his lips.
“No, officer. You don’t.”
When he follows her into the inspection station, she tells him her standard routine, "You are aware that by not providing me with the appropriate license you gave me reason to require you to accompany me to Inspection Station 7308 for a full and thorough inspection of all your functions, to be completed at my discretion and to my satisfaction?”
But when she's putting him through his sex paces, everything is working a little too well, and she's getting really turned on, and then he's groaning to her, "Come for me Gemma, you're so beautiful, Come now," as he thrusts and twists his pelvis a little with the up thrust, putting delicious pressure on her. Wow, no deficiencies there!
She realizes She could get fired and lose her job status and privileges! She orders him out and surprisingly, he immediately agrees to keep their encounter secret and leaves.
But Declan doesn't forget, he pursues her discreetly, but ardently.
That's not all he's hiding however, and his other secrets could really kill her! And him! It's an action-packed thrill ride to get to outer space to an OutWorld.
Secondary characters like Eddie (another RIO) who is Gemma's partner, and an adopted fairy, Kaelen, add more sexiness and sweetness, respectively, and I want to get more immersed in this New City world.
I read this for a challenge and was pleasantly surprised at the amazingly detailed, creative, clever and funny world that is year 3005! It was very entertaining and very hot, too! This is the first Sci Fi erotica book I've read by this author but hopefully not the last!
Yes, humans still populate and rule the world, but advances in medical technology have resulted in life saving half-mechanical humans such as Gemma, who almost died after a hovercraft accident. Half her organs are mechanical, and she has faint scars all over her body, she is enhanced, better and stronger, kind of a sexy bionic woman. She works in the sex industry, as a Recreational Intercourse Operative, GMMA 4121609, to patrol and monitor the Pleasurebots, finding the faulty ones, to haul them in for repairs (or removal) which can sometimes be quite a chase, because they can resist coming in. STDs have been eliminated and pregnancy is prevented by a procedure that requires a minor operation to reverse, so Sex for Entertainment is huge, more popular in fact than viddy watching. Thus, the need for Pleasurebots. However, defective Pleasurebots can actually kill a human so she has to take her job seriously.
One day she spots one, he is not acting normal, he's standing off alone; Pleasurebots are made to keep others entertained and are usually very social. He's very handsome and amazingly human-like, he must be an early PSSN model, maybe a PSSN-M?
"Personal ID Unit?" She asks, expecting him to show his License.
He spread his fingers in a mock-innocent gesture. “Must’ve left it at home."
"You'll have to come with me to an inspection station," she replied, trying not to respond to his innocent act.
"You've got to be kidding," he said incredulously.
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" She snapped, asserting her authority.
He took the opportunity to let his gaze move completely along [her] body, paying special attention to her nipples, which pushed at the navy blue artisilk of her uniform. And then, damn him, when he looked at the junction of her legs, he licked his lips.
“No, officer. You don’t.”
When he follows her into the inspection station, she tells him her standard routine, "You are aware that by not providing me with the appropriate license you gave me reason to require you to accompany me to Inspection Station 7308 for a full and thorough inspection of all your functions, to be completed at my discretion and to my satisfaction?”
But when she's putting him through his sex paces, everything is working a little too well, and she's getting really turned on, and then he's groaning to her, "Come for me Gemma, you're so beautiful, Come now," as he thrusts and twists his pelvis a little with the up thrust, putting delicious pressure on her. Wow, no deficiencies there!
She realizes She could get fired and lose her job status and privileges! She orders him out and surprisingly, he immediately agrees to keep their encounter secret and leaves.
But Declan doesn't forget, he pursues her discreetly, but ardently.
That's not all he's hiding however, and his other secrets could really kill her! And him! It's an action-packed thrill ride to get to outer space to an OutWorld.
Secondary characters like Eddie (another RIO) who is Gemma's partner, and an adopted fairy, Kaelen, add more sexiness and sweetness, respectively, and I want to get more immersed in this New City world.
May 17, 2016
Gemma is a Recreational Intercourse Operative, tracking down faulty sexbots and taking them to HQ for repairs. She's supposedly really good at her work, but incorrectly identifies someone as a sexbot. R.I.O agents must shag only suspected faulty models (that's testing) on company time, so Gemma fears losing her job.
Passion Model is rather fun with intriguing world-building, but I just didn't like any of the characters, except maybe Eddie. Kaelyn is more a plot device than a character, whose life in endangered to up the stakes for Gemma. Declan fails to inform on-duty Gemma before they shag that he's not a bot. And Declan's dad is a clear antag to whom we can't relate. Villains are much more interesting when we can kind of sympathise with them, but this one's very one-dimensional.
Tip for writers: If your story is set 1000 years into the future, don't make contemporary pop culture references. Futurama breaks that rule all the time, but that doesn't mean you should. Passion Model is set in 3005, yet references The Matrix and Britney. I've never referenced anything from 1012 (1000 years ago). So if your characters reference stuff from 1000 years ago (if they weren't alive then)...well, that's just lazy writing. I'll forgive Megan Hart for that, though, because this was first published in 2003. But I read the 2010 revised edition, which still had the references. Not cool, y'all.
And though technology is well-advanced, mechos (part-human, part-machine) are shunned by society. In real life there are many people with plates, pins, and machines inside them holding their body together and keeping it functioning. We don't treat them as if they're not rightful citizens. So why would that happen in the future, when there would be a higher percentage of mechos?
There are logic fails aplenty, but switch off your brain and you'll enjoy the ride.
Passion Model is rather fun with intriguing world-building, but I just didn't like any of the characters, except maybe Eddie. Kaelyn is more a plot device than a character, whose life in endangered to up the stakes for Gemma. Declan fails to inform on-duty Gemma before they shag that he's not a bot. And Declan's dad is a clear antag to whom we can't relate. Villains are much more interesting when we can kind of sympathise with them, but this one's very one-dimensional.
Tip for writers: If your story is set 1000 years into the future, don't make contemporary pop culture references. Futurama breaks that rule all the time, but that doesn't mean you should. Passion Model is set in 3005, yet references The Matrix and Britney. I've never referenced anything from 1012 (1000 years ago). So if your characters reference stuff from 1000 years ago (if they weren't alive then)...well, that's just lazy writing. I'll forgive Megan Hart for that, though, because this was first published in 2003. But I read the 2010 revised edition, which still had the references. Not cool, y'all.
And though technology is well-advanced, mechos (part-human, part-machine) are shunned by society. In real life there are many people with plates, pins, and machines inside them holding their body together and keeping it functioning. We don't treat them as if they're not rightful citizens. So why would that happen in the future, when there would be a higher percentage of mechos?
There are logic fails aplenty, but switch off your brain and you'll enjoy the ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2016
Reading some of Megan Hart's earlier stuff because I'm curious. I'd give this one a 2.5. The best parts are the concept, which is refreshingly original, and some of the character interaction, a classic Hart strength. Unfortunately these are outweighed by a totally paint-by-numbers plot, a lack of believable conflict between the romantic leads, and a very rushed HEA.
I found myself most fascinated by the world of "recreational intercourse officers" that Hart creates, and she writes some really interesting backstory / world-building around it. There's a scene in which Gemma, the main character, evaluates & chases a malfunctioning sexbot which is surprisingly terrifying and also sad, very memorable. But it's really adjacent to the main story, as is the character of Kaelyn, with whom Gemma has the most touching scene. Not really a good sign when the parts with the most pathos are not between the romantic leads! Makes me wonder if Hart really knew what she truly wanted to be writing about.
Apparently there's a sequel, so I'll take a look, but unless Gemma's happy relationship looks like it might turn into a triad, I'm not super interested.
I found myself most fascinated by the world of "recreational intercourse officers" that Hart creates, and she writes some really interesting backstory / world-building around it. There's a scene in which Gemma, the main character, evaluates & chases a malfunctioning sexbot which is surprisingly terrifying and also sad, very memorable. But it's really adjacent to the main story, as is the character of Kaelyn, with whom Gemma has the most touching scene. Not really a good sign when the parts with the most pathos are not between the romantic leads! Makes me wonder if Hart really knew what she truly wanted to be writing about.
Apparently there's a sequel, so I'll take a look, but unless Gemma's happy relationship looks like it might turn into a triad, I'm not super interested.
March 9, 2010
I'm not really into futuristic scifi but I am a huge fan of Megan Hart so I gave it a chance and I'm glad I did!
The setting was very interesting and well thought out, as was the whole premise of having bots that were created just to provide pleasure for the citizens.
You can't help but fall in love with the charcters. Gemma is a very smart and sensual heroine and Declan radiates heat and confidence that makes him irresistable. I also loved Kaelyn, who just made my heart melt and Eddie, who provided for some good comic relief.
The setting was very interesting and well thought out, as was the whole premise of having bots that were created just to provide pleasure for the citizens.
You can't help but fall in love with the charcters. Gemma is a very smart and sensual heroine and Declan radiates heat and confidence that makes him irresistable. I also loved Kaelyn, who just made my heart melt and Eddie, who provided for some good comic relief.
May 5, 2015
Awesome book!!!!
Didn't expect it at all. Yes, it's adult romance, I didn't expect anything else, that's why I picked it up.
But.
It was very well written and Hart's world building, wow! It put to shame a lot of YA Dystopians I've read. And that's saying something.
I will definitely read more of Megan Hart's books. This one did not disappoint!
Also, a book that has this sentence in it:
"Warning: This book contains graphic descriptions of sex with men, aliens and robots."
...cannot possibly be bad :D
Didn't expect it at all. Yes, it's adult romance, I didn't expect anything else, that's why I picked it up.
But.
It was very well written and Hart's world building, wow! It put to shame a lot of YA Dystopians I've read. And that's saying something.
I will definitely read more of Megan Hart's books. This one did not disappoint!
Also, a book that has this sentence in it:
"Warning: This book contains graphic descriptions of sex with men, aliens and robots."
...cannot possibly be bad :D
November 25, 2016
Sadly not really my cup of tea. I liked the story idea but found the sex scenes more distracting than anything and being more futuristic erotica in nature than sci-fi (romance) meant that same story was often not as padded out or coherent as it could have been. Also a bit confused over what exactly artificial water is if it's made from hydrogen, oxygen, and is potable, but somehow doesn't cling to the skin or soak in to fabrics and isn't classed as "natural".
September 2, 2010
So I got this on a dare and I must say I am so glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. The world-building is pretty good. The passion was... hmm, yikes, let's just say my hubby really enjoyed the after effects. The characters were well developed considering the genre and I actually liked the female lead which is always a plus.
February 4, 2016
Gemma is half human/half machine, and works for the sexbot enforcement/maintenance department. While on assignment she misidentified a human, Decland, as a malfunctioning sexbot. They are attracted to each other and start a relationship. Interesting world building, lots of sex and action but not a lot of romance or character development. At 60% Gemma investigated Decland and who he is.
September 4, 2012
Not a bad read and I really liked the world. It opened my eyes to how weird it could really get. Life without the sun?! No real plants?! No thanks. I really loved the way the main characters loved each other. It was sweet and hot. Eddie was a friend that I would do anything to have. It was a fast read and I enjoyed that. This was my first sci-fi romance and ingot to say it might not be my last.
April 27, 2014
This had me hooked almost from the first page. Fantastic world building, that had me squirming in places. I could so see this happening in our future.
I laughed out loud in quite a few places, had to turn on the fan in others, and towards the end was on the edge of my seat. It's the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last.
I laughed out loud in quite a few places, had to turn on the fan in others, and towards the end was on the edge of my seat. It's the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last.
April 20, 2012
great story from one of my favorite authors. *You must read this BEFORE you read Driven, as it's a prequel of sorts, set in the same world of New City. Sex bots, Intercourse regulation officers, off-world travel, evil people in power - loved the worlds Megan creates!
March 28, 2014
Quick light smutty read. I have heard a lot of hart though I know I probably won't be equipped to read her more contemp and angsty ones, this one sounds interesting and has more of a storyline than I expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2009
I'm really not into the futuristic stuff, but this storyline was good. It also had a few twists that kept it pretty interesting.
November 6, 2010
A very different kind of story but I did like it. It was a quick read, it was interesting, funny at times (specially the bot names or types)
Read
March 20, 2011LOL! My my...
Read
February 17, 2012pg 20 - yep, it's sf erotica, right in the new paperback section of the store
May 18, 2011
Read in 2011.
June 28, 2012
better than the write suggested more detailed and a better story
December 28, 2012
This was definitely lighter fare from MH, and what I was in the mood for after reading some of her heavier books. It was a fun little read.
April 24, 2013
fun read
January 26, 2014
The whole pleasurebot futuristic thing didn't work for me at all. Lame!
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